Kali Linux Install seemingly a success, but can't get in

[Josh1977]

I have an issue with my computer and my Kali install. The install was actually a success, from what I can tell (hence the reason I'm posting in Troubleshooting). But the problem is the system keeps going into sleep mode, before anything can really be accomplished. Sure, I can keep bringing it out of sleep mode until I can get to the login screen, but that doesn't fix the problem. I experience the same issue with the live CD.

System details are as follows:

Acer Aspire One Laptop, brand new
Fresh, brand new install of both Windows and Kali Linux 32bit
(completely wiped hard drive and started fresh)

1GB ram

I have a desktop system available that has the same setup with no issues whatsoever, so if I need to change a file or setting, I do have the ability to remove the hard drive from this laptop and hook it up to my desktop to make the necessary changes, assuming those changes could be made this way. Obviously getting into the Kali GUI from my laptop is pointless and similar to beating my head against the wall.

I need a fix for this. I'd really like to use Kali Linux on my laptop, but if I can't even get in and get work accomplished, there's no point, and I might as well reclaim the space for Windows.

[Mister_X]

1Gb of RAM is barely enough, even if you use xfce. You won't be able to do much.

I would recommend finding a very lightweight distribution instead.

[bigbiz]

Beini is based on tinycore linux. Goodluck

[broomdodger]

Aser Aspire One
+ 1.6 GHz Atom cpu
+ 1 GB RAM + 1 GB swap
+ 160 GB HD

I have been using:
kali-linux-light-2018-W12-i386.iso
since it was released sometime around 20180327.
I have kept it updated since that release.

It runs great... note I did NOT say fast

One change, I have kept the kernel back:
sudo apt-mark hold linux-image-4.14.17
because more recent kernels are slow to boot from login to desktop.
Keep juggling the mouse until it starts.
Without jiggling it can take up to 5 minutes to get to the desktop.
With kernel 4.14.17 it takes less than 20 seconds.

Try either the daily or weekly release of:
kali-linux-light
Great version, smaller, add just what I need.
I love xfce, strongly dislike gnome.

https://archive.kali.org/kali-daily-images/
https://cdimage.kali.org/kali-images/kali-weekly/
The weekly release usually comes out late Sunday.

If you cannot get access to kali-linux-light-2018-W12-i386.iso
install any current version
and start wiggling the mouse after entering login credentials...

[Mister_X]

holding on the kernel will prevent installing recent drivers such as rtl8812, nvidia or amd.

You installed a weekly, so whoever is installing, start with the most recent.